One of my favorite characters from the show 'The Simpson'' is Ralph Wiggum, the spacey, nosepicking son of Chief Wiggum, who, apropos of nothing, occasionally bursts our with the mantra "My cat's breath smells like cat food." Sometimes when I'm giving my own kitties kisses, I will borrow this line from Ralph because it's quite true.

However, sometimes there's more lingering in the breath of our feline friends than leftover salmon and tuna. Not unlike a human with bad breath, it's a stomach turning smell that makes nosekissing and cuddling a little less pleasant. What's going on?

Most likely the bad breath is a result of a gum disease called gingivitis. There are many causes of gingivitis in cats, from plaque build up to viral infection reactions, but the bottom line is it can represent a serious health threat to your kitty. And it's very painful, too. Remember the last time you had a toothache or swollen gums? No fun, and even less so when you're trying to eat. Feline gingivitis that is left untreated can cause a cat severe pain to the point where he or she can't eat anymore.

When my 5 month old foster kitten Lolly started getting stinky breath, I checked her gums and was shocked to find they were red and inflamed. This is common in older cats...but kittens? But it's actually not uncommon for young cats to suffer from stomatitis (another name for feline gingivitis). Research shows that if the gingivitis is treated with both home and professional vet care, the cats often grow out of the disease around age two. If they don't, the only option is to remove all the cat's teeth.

I wanted to know everything I could do to help Lolly and this video will show you what I discovered, and how you can help keep your own cat's teeth and gums healthy. Below are some links with more information about feline gingivitis and some products that can help you care for your kitty's teeth:

Gingivitis in Cats from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine: https://is.gd/6ALKkB

This veterinary research paper is very helpful in explaining the causes and treatments for Juvenile Gingivitis in cats, even for those of us who don't have a PhD behind our name: https://is.gd/dv4240

Suggested products for home cat oral care:
• Everything you need for daily oral care Arm & Hammer Dental Kit for Cats: https://amzn.to/36OCB11
• Can kitty oral care be any easier than this? Dental Care Finger Wipe Cloths: https://amzn.to/3wUjNbl
• Feline Greenie's help kitties stay plaquefree while having a tasty treat: https://amzn.to/3tXBGUx
• A little toothbrush pen with paste inside from HIBOS makes brushing your kitties teeth a snap: https://amzn.to/3u1ocYe


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